Senior Aerobics Program To Lose Funding This Year

The Allentown Recreation Commission had a mixed reaction yesterday to a request to transfer a senior citizen aerobics exercise program from the Health Bureau to the Recreation Bureau.

Members did not object to the transfer, but they agreed with two city officials who said the Recreation Bureau should have been involved from the time the program began two years ago.

The Health Bureau has been operating the program with funds from the state Health Department at five locations throughout the city. The money is part of a larger grant to reduce health risks among residents.

The state funds are due to expire in September, and the Health Bureau has requested that the program be taken over by the Recreation Commission.

Recreation Director Richard C. Hoffman said the bureau can run the program at "zero cost" to the city. He said the fee charged to participants will cover the costs of an instructor and rental of facilities.

"I don't see how we can turn it down," he said. He will observe the program before making a recommendation at the commission's June 9 meeting.

Diane Henning, a therapeutic recreation specialist,would add the aerobics classes to her duties.

Parks Superintendent Donald R. Marushak charged that the Health Bureau made little effort to coordinate the program with the Recreation Bureau. He said Hoffman should have been involved from the beginning as part of a management team.

Health Director Gary L. Gurian, who was not at the meeting, said the senior citizens exercise classes are "very popular." About 75 attend each class under the direction of Karen Wotring, a community health nurse.

He said his bureau's role has been to develop the program.

"The Recreation Bureau would have had to spend an inordinate amount of time with a limited staff to develop it," he said. "Naturally, it belongs in recreation."

In another matter, Marushak outlined various capital improvements projects he is proposing for 1989.

The most costly proposal is $450,000 for physical improvements at Trexler Memorial Park, in keeping with recommendations in a recent master plan prepared by Andropogan Associates, Philadelphia ecological planning consultants. The improvements would include regrading the landscape, replanting trees, and building up the banks of Little Cedar Creek to prevent further erosion.

Other capital projects on the list are: Renovation of the banks of Trout Creek between Dixon Street and the S. 8th Street underpass of the Conrail tracks, $125,000; completion of the bikeway system, $30,000; renovation of buildings in Lehigh Parkway, $10,000; curbing along park roads, $10,000; entranceway landscaping, $30,000.

Also, repairs to fish hatchery building, $7,900; engineering study for a dam on Jordan Creek north of 7th Street, $10,000; land acquisition, $30,000; stone wall repairs, $40,000; storm water drainage, $10,000; new roof on maintenance building at the Municipal Golf Course, $10,500; completion of sanitary sewerage at the course, $60,000; development of a playground safety program, $10,000; and a park and recreation master plan, $85,000.

Marushak said $40,000 of the $85,000 for a master plan would be for a consultant's study. The remainder would be to implement the plan. He said there is a possibility of obtaining state funds.

The plan would take a long-range view of the goals of the two bureaus, he said.

A self-evaluation by affected bureau officials generally results in their being too hard on themselves, the parks superintendent said.

Commission Chairman Linda Rosenfeld designated a committee to review allowing pushcarts in the parks and recreational sites. City Council is planning legislation governing street vendors.

A request from the Allentown Municipal Golfers Association to award a season ticket to the city course to the winner of its golf tournament was rejected.

Hoffman said the city offered season tickets as prizes when it sponsored golf championships until about 10 years ago when a policy was adopted to prohibit free play at the course.

He conceded that a $260 season ticket will be awarded at the end of the year as a promotion to publicize the reopening of the driving range. But he said it will be a one-time event.

"I can see it as a promotion, but not as a tournament prize," Hoffman said.

Marushak questioned whether the city has the right to give away a city asset to support a private group. "I cannot support that idea," he said.

A financial report shows gross income at the golf course at $107,637 the first four months of this year. Hoffman said the total is $7,000 greater than the same 1987 period. He attributed the increase to more activity at the driving range.

A new booklet was unveiled at the meeting. Published by the Recreation Bureau in cooperation with the A-Youth organization, it combines rules for all city youth sports.